Al-Anon Family Groups - Alateen is specifically for teens affected by a family member's alcoholism. It is a place to share experiences, strength, and hope with each other to find effective ways to cope with problems. Alateen focuses on educating teens on the Twelve Steps and to better understand their family member's journey to achieve sobriety. The offer a safe and compassionate environment.

CADCA | Building drug-free communities - Preventing alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse is no easy task. However, since 1992, CADCA has demonstrated that when all sectors of a community come together —social change happens. CADCA is the premier membership organization representing those working to make their communities safe, healthy and drug-free. We have members in every U.S. state and territory and working in 18 countries around the world. Special programs within CADCA are supporting our returning veterans and their families and training youth leaders to be effective agents of change –all through the coalition model.
CADCA’s network of more than 5,000 community coalitions brings together key leaders within the community to address local conditions from underage drinking to prescription drug abuse. Coalitions are comprised of parents, youth, educators, law enforcement, the faith community, healthcare providers, social service providers, civic and government officials, business leaders, members of the media and other concerned citizens. The result is a comprehensive, community-wide approach to reduce substance abuse and its related problems. CADCA’s evidence-based environmental model focuses on changing laws, policies, practices, systems and attitudes –to transform the places we live, work and play. By delivering state-of-the-art training, developing resources and tools that practitioners can use in the field, advocating for coalitions and substance abuse prevention on Capitol Hill and educating the public about key issues, CADCA is helping to reduce alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems—one community at a time.

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of American (CADCA) - Our Vision: A world of safe, healthy and drug-free communities.
Our Mission: To strengthen the capacity of community coalitions to create and maintain safe, healthy and drug-free communities globally.
The Drug-Free Communities program is funded and authorized under the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), which receives its appropriations from the Financial Services Appropriations Bill.

Counseling Programs - A valuable resource on counseling, mental health, and substance abuse. Find information in the blog section on a variety of topics. Share your stories of recovery and help others in the same situation.

Drug Rehab - At DrugRehab.com, their mission is to equip patients and families with the best information, resources and tools to overcome addiction and pursue lifelong recovery. The factors that lead to substance abuse and addiction are different for each person. They explain how drugs affect your body, the reasons people turn to them and how to recover from alcoholism and other substance use disorders. Drug addiction is a disease that affects 23 million Americans, but also something that can be controlled effectively with various treatments and therapies. They have some great information on the risks, treatment options, and what to look out for if you believe a loved one may be using. They are here to help you or your loved one every step of the way.

DrugFreeYouthDC.com - DrugFreeYouthDC.com is about you, your family and community. It is the “go to” place to learn more about District information and resources to prevent alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and other youth risky behaviors before they begin.

Fiscal Tiger - Learn ways to get access and pay for mental health and addiction recovery services. Knowing when to seek these services, what the options for treatment are, and how to pay for them are vital in getting the appropriate help.

Houston Crackdown - WHAT IS HOUSTON CRACKDOWN?
Houston Crackdown is a division of Mayor Annise D. Parker's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security that coordinates and supports volunteer projects in the areas of substance abuse prevention, treatment, and law enforcement.
OUR VISION
Working together, everyone in the greater Houston community has the knowledge, skills, and sense of self-responsibility to create a society free of fear, crime, and the negative impact of drugs, including alcohol and tobacco.

Houston Crackdown - City of Houston Website - Serving the residents of Houston and Harris County since 1988, Houston Crackdown coordinates and supports community volunteer projects to reduce alcohol and other drug abuse through prevention, education, treatment and rehabilitation efforts. Crackdown also administers grant funding to various drug abuse prevention programs throughout the City. Call 713.247.8888 to learn about community meetings, partnerships, coalitions, educational materials, and collaborative funding opportunities. Participate with other interested residents to plan annual public education campaigns and other community activities. Together, we can provide accurate information to enable young people and adults to make smart, healthy choices; create positive programs for

Houston Recovery Center/Houston Center for Sobriety/”Sobering Center - The Houston Recovery Center Local Government Corporation (LGC) was approved by the Houston City Council May 16, 2012 and opened its doors for clients’ city-wide May 15, 2013. The Houston Recovery Center LGC is managed by its independent Board of Directors who have moved forward with implementing its first program: the Houston Center for Sobriety, commonly referred to as the sobering center. The center provides safe, short-term monitoring and management of persons under the influence of alco¬hol and drugs. When an individual is arrested by the Houston Police Department for public intoxication, the officer brings the individual to the sobering cen¬ter, instead of taking him/her to jail. Once our staff of trained professionals gives the individual a satisfactory basic health screening, he/she is allowed to rest until sober. Before leaving, each individual is provided the opportunity to meet with a Recovery Support Special¬ist, who assesses the issues, identifies resources and provides referrals and connections to those resources. By addressing the root problems and providing meth¬ods of empowering the client to set goals, the specialist aims to help the client improve his/her overall quality of life, thus preventing a return to the center. While some clients may be experiencing a one-time event, many suffer from life altering issues such as substance abuse, homelessness, domestic violence or mental health or medical problems. Those in need have the option of meeting with a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor who can provide counseling, assessments, and referrals to treatment. While a person must be checked in to the sobering center by a member of the police department, all services thereafter are strictly voluntary. Although we encourage those brought in to stay until they have reached sobriety, those who choose to leave are not detained. Upon release, individuals have the option of calling a cab, a friend or family member, or asking for a referral. Only those who are willing to accept assistance in transferring to a recovery facility will be provided with the transportation to do so.

Houston Recovery Initiative (ROSC) - The Houston Recovery Initiative is an effort to work toward a Recovery Oriented System of Care for those in our community who are affected by alcoholism and addiction.
This initiative is based on the recognition that addiction is a chronic health disorder, similar in many ways to other chronic health conditions such as diabetes or hypertension which are usually disorders of life-long duration.
Chronic health disorders sometimes require treatment for acute symptoms to resolve an immediate crisis. However, this treatment does not cure the disorder. Following the crisis, and before discharge, patients are educated about how to maintain their recovery. This requires life-long attention to health and wellness practices in order to achieve and remain symptom-free. Failure to maintain diet and health regimens, for example, can result in recurrence of life-threatening symptoms.
Likewise, achieving and maintaining recovery from alcoholism and addiction may also require occasional treatment for acute problems, but more importantly, it requires lifelong work to maintain health and wellness in all areas of life, including peer and family social support for recovery.
Support for long-term recovery is the emphasis of this initiative. It is a paradigm shift which moves beyond thinking of treatment as the cure for addiction; treatment may help people start the process of recovery, but the work of recovery is a broader and longer-term commitment. This shift requires changes in the way we think about the role of treatment, the importance of linkages with other community service agencies, and the contributions that can be made by peers-in- recovery as recovery coaches.
Prevention and treatment providers, health and human service agencies, criminal justice and law enforcement, consumers, and other key stakeholders in the Houston community have been meeting to develop plans to transform our existing services and systems to make them more recovery-friendly. Our vision is that our systems will be geared toward support of long term recovery instead of merely being focused on short-term treatment as a “cure”.

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) - Drugs of Abuse and Emerging Trends - NIDA's mission is to lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction. This charge has two critical components. The first is the strategic support and conduct of research across a broad range of disciplines. The second is ensuring the rapid and effective dissemination and use of the results of that research to significantly improve prevention and treatment and to inform policy as it relates to drug abuse and addiction.

Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) - National Drug Control Strategy - Throughout 2013, the Administration continued to play a leading role in advancing drug policy reform, beginning with the release of the 2013 National Drug Control Strategy, which called for an approach rooted in scientific research on addiction, evidence-based prevention programs, increased access to treatment, a historic emphasis on recovery, and criminal justice reform.

Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) - Prevention - Preventing drug use before it begins is the most cost-effective, common-sense approach to promoting safe and healthy communities. Research shows an association between drug use and traffic crash deaths, lost productivity and poorer academic performance. Illicit drug use also contributes to HIV-transmission rates and puts children at risk for abuse and neglect. If we can prevent substance use and dependence before it ever begins, we can save lives and cut costs related to healthcare and criminal justice. Learn more about prevention in the National Strategy.

Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) - Treatment and Recovery - ONDCP is committed to spreading the promise of recovery across the Nation. As part of this effort, the Obama Administration has established the first ONDCP office devoted to supporting Americans in recovery for drug or alcohol abuse. ONDCP is proud to work with our Federal partners, states, tribes, local governments, communities, treatment and recovery support services organizations, and the recovery community to help people achieve sustained recovery. Together, we are working to reduce substance use and build stronger, healthier, and more prosperous families and communities.

Outreach, Screening, Assessment, and Referral Centers (OSARS) - To find substance abuse treatment services in your area, please call, toll free, 1-877-9-NO DRUG (1-877-966-3784) for immediate and confidential help, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or search online for the nearest substance abuse treatment program.
Outreach, Screening, Assessment and Referral Centers (OSARs) are the first point of contact for those seeking substance abuse treatment services. Regardless of ability to pay, Texas residents who are seeking substance abuse services and information may qualify for services based on need. Outreach, Screening, Assessment and Referral Centers (OSARs) are the first point of contact for those seeking substance abuse treatment services. All Texas residents who are seeking substance abuse services and information may qualify for services.

With the legalization of marijuana in many U.S. states and the overall prevalence of drug use in many communities, it can seem as if substance abuse is becoming a national norm. At the Prevention Coalition, we’re fighting that sense of complacency. We believe that every child and young adult deserves the opportunity to make a fully educated decision on drug use. The Prevention Coalition was founded by a group of retired school counselors and therapists to provide an accessible drug use and abuse prevention resource for parents, teachers, counselors and other concerned adults. We’ve seen the effects of drug use and abuse in teens first-hand, and we understand the difficulties young people and their loved ones faces when drug use becomes an issue. We believe that education is the first step toward guiding young people to make informed decisions, and we’ve compiled trustworthy resources from across the Internet to provide an accessible and comprehensive guide to that information. We’ve worked with teens for whom “harmless” experimenting turned into an addiction with serious social, health, and sometimes legal consequences. We believe that some of these teens may have reconsidered drug use had they fully understood the effects of various chemicals on the brain. We know that young adults have the agency to make their own decisions concerning drug use, and we passionately believe that all young people should be educated on the real facts of drug use and abuse before the opportunity to use ever arises. We work with a team of paid market research experts and have scoured the web for the best knowledge-bases of anti-drug education and organized them on the Prevention Coalition site to help parents, educators and other anti-drug allies find the best resources for themselves and the young people they care about.

Recovery Centers of America - Find a wealth of information about a variety of commonly used and abused substances including a brief history of each, how each drug is often abused, common warning signs of abuse as well as our treatment approach for each. Having a loved one who is battling addiction can be an overwhelming and confusing time. This guide is meant to give you a basic overview of drug names that you will often hear while you or your loved one is in or seeking treatment. Some drugs listed, like naltrexone – while not used illicitly, are used to help individuals struggling with opioid addiction. This guide is meant to help inform you so that you know what to look out for – as well as what treatment options look like.

No matter how far-fetched it might appear, living a sober life is very achievable. Your success in the recovery process is determined by your positive mindset and commitment to the process. Recovery meetings provide additional aftercare for recovering individuals and are open to anyone with the desire to quit substance misuse.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities. SAMHSA Strategic Initiatives help provide treatment and services for people with mental and substance use disorders, support the families of people with mental and substance use disorders, build strong and supportive communities, prevent costly behavioral health problems, and promote better health for all Americans.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness - Promoting mental health and preventing mental and/or substance use disorders are fundamental to SAMHSA’s mission to reduce the impact of behavioral health conditions in America’s communities.
Mental and substance use disorders can have a powerful effect on the health of individuals, their families, and their communities. In 2012, an estimated 9.6 million adults aged 18 and older in the United States had a serious mental illness, and 2.2 million youth aged 12 to 17 had a major depressive episode during the past year. In 2012, an estimated 23.1 million Americans aged 12 and older needed treatment for substance use. These disorders are among the top conditions that cause disability and carry a high burden of disease in the United States, resulting in significant costs to families, employers, and publicly funded health systems. By 2020, mental and substance use disorders will surpass all physical diseases as a major cause of disability worldwide.
In addition, drug and alcohol use can lead to other chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Addressing the impact of substance use alone is estimated to cost Americans more than $600 billion each year.
Preventing mental and/or substance use disorders and related problems in children, adolescents, and young adults is critical to Americans’ behavioral and physical health. Behaviors and symptoms that signal the development of a behavioral disorder often manifest two to four years before a disorder is present. In addition, people with a mental health issue are more likely to use alcohol or drugs than those not affected by a mental illness. If communities and families can intervene early, behavioral health disorders might be prevented, or symptoms can be mitigated.
Data have shown that early intervention following the first episode of a serious mental illness can make an impact. Coordinated, specialized services offered during or shortly after the first episode of psychosis are effective for improving clinical and functional outcomes.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - Recovery Support - The adoption of recovery by behavioral health systems in recent years has signaled a dramatic shift in the expectation for positive outcomes for individuals who experience mental and/or substance use conditions. Today, when individuals with mental and/or substance use disorders seek help, they are met with the knowledge and belief that anyone can recover and/or manage their conditions successfully. The value of recovery and recovery-oriented behavioral health systems is widely accepted by states, communities, health care providers, peers, families, researchers, and advocates including the U.S. Surgeon General, the Institute of Medicine, and others.
SAMHSA has established a working definition of recovery that defines recovery as a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential. Recovery is built on access to evidence-based clinical treatment and recovery support services for all populations.

Texas Department of State Health Services - Texas Recovery Initiative (TRI) - Texas Recovery Initiative (TRI)The purpose of the multi-phase Texas Recovery Initiative (TRI) is to gather information and recommendations for designing protocols that implement holistic, recovery-oriented models of care for use within the behavioral health community. An essential characteristic of a recovery-oriented model is that it be based on an individualized, multi-disciplinary recovery plan that is developed in partnership with the person receiving these services and all others identified as supportive of this process.
Recovery Oriented Systems of Care
Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) emphasize the importance of community collaborations and partnership, including governmental agencies at all levels, to ensure the continuum of care available for other chronic care diseases (such as diabetes or heart disease) for persons affected by substance use disorders. ROSC services enhance each individual’s personal strengths and improve their social functioning while allowing them to build recovery self-management skills by providing continuing support during the recovery process. Learn more about Recovery Oriented Systems of Care in Texas

Texas Recovery Initiative - The purpose of the multi-phase Texas Recovery Initiative is to gather information and recommendations for designing protocols that implement holistic, recovery-oriented models of care for use within the behavioral health community.

Understanding the Opioid Epidemic - The opioid epidemic is essentially the rising tide of opioid abuse in America. When opioid abuse becomes serious and frequent, it can lead to addiction and death. Opioids have become widely available, either via prescription or the black market, and this increasing availability is contributing to an escalation in the number of people who become addicted. Users are finding it easy to access opioids that are very potent and therefore quite dangerous. High-potency opioids are some of the most, if not the most, addictive drugs in the world. They are flooding the market and people are overdosing on them at record levels.